Applied laser spectroscopy-techniques and trends

Abstract

Modern research in atomic and molecular spectroscopy is mainly based on applications of lasers as spectroscopic sources. This has led to revolutionary advances, not only in fundamental spectroscopy studies, but also in techniques of applied spectroscopy in a variety of fields like analytical spectroscopy, atomic and molecular physics, chemical dynamics, surface studies, plasma physics, cosmology, biophysics and so on. In this article some of the applied aspects of laser spectroscopy are presented. Areas like laser- enhanced ionization spectroscopy, resonance multiphoton ionization, spectoscopy of discharges and flames, supersonic beams, and laser-ablated metal vapour spectroscopy are illustrated with reference to the current techniques and future trends.